High school football's weekend slate is headlined by No. 7
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) heading to Southern California to take on No. 9
Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.).
Bishop Gorman (4-1) is coming off a 27-24 setback to No. 6
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). Three-star quarterback
Maika Eugenio threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in the loss that went down to the wire.
Santa Margarita has won three in a row since falling in the season opener, including an overtime victory against No. 5
Centennial (Corona, Calif.) under first-year head coach Carson Palmer. The Eagles also have a three-star quarterback in
Trace Johnson, who has completed 70.5 percent of his passes this year for 787 yards and seven touchdowns.
In four games this season, Santa Margarita quarterback Trace Johnson has completed over 70 percent of his pass attempts for 787 yards and seven touchdowns against just one interceptions. He has also run for another score. (PHOTO: Rene Morales)
No. 4
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) will head to
Central (Phenix City, Ala.) in a game that has 55 players who hold college offers. Both teams have a lot of playmakers that aren't seniors.
For IMG Academy, sophomores
Jayden Wade and
Eric McFarland lead the Ascenders in passing and receiving yards, respectively. At Central junior
Bobby Coleman and freshman
Braylen Averett lead those categories.
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) hosts No. 14
Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) in a rivalry that dates back to 1958. Bosco leads the all-time series 41-38-2 but Bergen has won six of the last seven.
There is also a New York Giants connection in this one as Don Bosco Prep junior quarterback
Carson Schoen is the son of general manager Joe Schoen. Bergen Catholic backup quarterback
Walker Snee is son of former lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Snee, who is currently a scout under Schoen.
Read on for a complete look at this week's biggest games.
Top 10 games this week
Top players
Bishop Gorman: QB
Maika Eugenio (6-0, 210), RB
Noah Cole (5-9, 205), WR
Kaina Watson (6-2, 185), DB
Jett Washington (6-5, 200), DL
Prince Williams (6-3, 255)
Santa Margarita: QB
Trace Johnson (6-2, 180), RB
Jaion Smith (6-0, 185), TE
Luke Gazzaniga (6-4, 225), LB
Leki Holani (6-0, 223), CB
Ca'ron Williams (6-0, 170)
The tough slate continues for Bishop Gorman. This time the Gaels head to Santa Margarita to take on the Eagles in Southern California for the first time since 2013 when Bishop Gorman won an overtime thriller. Santa Margarita has already taken on a couple of heavyweights, including a loss to then-ranked Mission Viejo and an overtime win over No. 5 Centennial.
No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) at Central (Phenix City, Ala.) Friday, 8 p.m. - Watch live and free MaxPreps | YouTube
Top players
IMG Academy: QB
Jayden Wade (6-4, 190), RB
Le'Khy Thompkins (6-2, 236), OT
Keenyi Pepe (6-7, 338), EDGE
Zyron Forstall (6-4, 235), EDGE
Jake Kreul (6-3, 230)
Central: QB
Bobby Coleman (6-1, 180), RB
Donovan Crow (6-0, 210), IOL
Jatori Williams (6-5, 320), S
Tony Arnett (6-1, 180), EDGE
Tristan Lyles (6-1, 238)
IMG heads into Alabama in a matchup between undefeated teams. The Ascenders have 43 players with scholarship offers and seven five-stars. Central is ranked No. 2 in Alabama. The Red Devils can score in bunches and have piled up at least 50 points in four games this season. These teams played three years ago in Alabama and Central led after the first quarter before IMG won 41-26 with a cast that included Jerrick Gibson, Carnell Tate and David Stone.
No. 14 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Bergen Catholic: QB
Trey Tagliaferri (6-1, 190), RB
Najee Calhoun (5-11, 195), WR
Austin Busso (6-1, 185), DL
Jackson Vaughn (6-4, 225),
Amar'e Newell (5-11, 175)
Don Bosco Prep: QB
Carson Schoen (6-1, 190), RB
Dante DeLuca (5-10, 220), WR
Jeremiah Alvarez (6-0, 180), DB
Jack Demenna (5-10, 190), LB
Jack Hinspeter (6-1, 210)
This rivalry features the top two teams in New Jersey as Bergen Catholic heads to Don Bosco Prep. The Crusaders have impressive victories over East St. Louis and West Boca Raton. Don Bosco Prep is coming off a shutout win. The Crusaders are riding a four-game winning streak in this series.
Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.) at Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)Friday, 8 p.m.
Top players
Colquitt County: QB
Cohen Lawson (6-1, 195), RB
Jae Lamar (6-0, 205), WR
Antwan Lockett (6-0, 173), LB
McKenzie Graham (6-2, 180), CB
Ry'Sheed Fuller (5-11, 170)
Lowndes: QB
Jayce Johnson (6-4, 210), RB
Mason Woods (5-9, 165), WR
Ar'Tavian Brown (6-3, 193), LB
Garrick Harris (6-0, 217), DB
Anthony Martin (5-9, 160)
Last season's game went down to the final seconds as Colquitt County won 38-35 on a field goal. This year each team is in our expanded top 100 and these squads are battling for position. Lowndes is No. 82 and averages more than 300 rushing yards per game. The Vikings defense has been dominant with 15 sacks on the year while allowing eight points per game. Colquitt County checks in at No. 75 with the lone loss coming to North Gwinnett. The Packers have a linebacker and two safeties that have over 30 tackles this year.
No. 25 Bixby (Okla.) at Jenks (Okla.)Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Bixby: QB
Carson Kirby (5-11, 200), RB
Jayson Moll (5-8, 170), WR
Nathan Gonzalez (5-10, 160), LB
Maverick Nance (6-1, 217), DB
Tyler Wright (6-2, 180)
Jenks: QB
Landon Kizzar (6-1, 170), RB
K.D. Jones (6-0, 185), WR
Ace Gilliam (6-1, 155), DE
Rhett Pangburn (6-4, 255), DT
Luke McInelly (6-2, 275)
Bixby entered the MaxPreps Top 25 this week for the first time this season and has a tough challenge on the road at Jenks, the No. 2 team in the state. Both teams are 3-0 and average more than 40 points a game. These schools sit just 10 miles apart and the first game between them occurred in 1933. Many classic games have taken place including Jenks topping Bixby in 2022 to end a 58-game winning streak.
Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.) at Thomas County Central (Thomasville, Ga.)Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Top players
Lee County: QB
Marcus Snipes (6-0 ,175), RB
Jordan Bush (5-9, 180), WR
Jaden Upshaw (6-3, 195), DB
Lasiah Jackson (6-3, 177), OL
Shavezz Dixon (6-4, 315)
Thomas County Central: QB
Jaylen Johnson (6-3, 225), RB
Christian Lawrence (5-9, 185), WR
Jabari Watkins (6-3, 185), DE
Cam Brooks (6-3, 235), S
Dannell Jester (6-0, 185)
This is another matchup between Peach State teams that are both in our expanded top 100. Thomas County Central is ranked No. 58 and has scored at least 49 points in every game. Lee County checks in at No. 77 with the lone blemish against Colquitt County in a 43-36 shoutout. The Trojans spread the ball out with four running backs that have scored multiple touchdowns this year.
No. 19 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) at Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, Ala.)Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Thompson: QB
Trent Seaborn (6-1, 191), RB
R.J. Evans (5-10, 175), WR
Dedrick Kimbrough (6-2, 188), DB
Eli King (5-11, 170), DB
Trenton McCorvey (6-1, 190)
Clay-Chalkville: QB
Aaron Frye (5-11, 170), RB
Joshua Woods (5-10, 185), WR
Corey Barber (6-2, 195), DT
Colton McIntyre (6-1, 265), S
Jamario Yadao (5-11, 160)
These teams have played three times (all since 2022) and each has been decided by a field goal or less. Thompson has ripped through all three of its opponents since falling in overtime to No. 3 Grayson 24-23 in August. Now the Warriors head on the road to face a Clay-Chalkville team that won this matchup 36-33 in 2023 and 14-13 last season. The Cougars are ranked No. 5 in Alabama. Both of these teams return their quarterbacks and touchdown-scoring running backs from last season's battle.
Skyridge (Lehi, Utah) at Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live on Charger TV
Top players
Skyridge: QB
Kaneal Sweetwyne (6-4, 215), RB
Lincoln Tahi (5-10, 205), WR
Talmage Oswald (5-10, 165), LB
Griffin Kunz (6-0, 206), S
Briggs Parker (6-0, 165)
Corner Canyon: QB
Helaman Casuga (6-1, 210), RB
Weston Briggs (6-2, 205), WR
Kai Meza (6-1, 185), S
Diesel Dart (6-2, 185), DE
Jayden Pearce (6-2, 245)
In a matchup of top five teams in Utah, Corner Canyon looks to rebound after losing to Lone Peak 42-21 last week. The Chargers' high-volume passing and rushing attack was stifled in the second half. Skyridge's lone loss came against Colorado No. 1 Cherry Creek. Corner Canyon won this matchup the last two years while Skyridge defeated the Chargers in the 2022 state title game.
Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) at St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Elder: QB
Kaden Estep (6-0, 170), LB
Derek Uran (6-2, 200), WR
Chase Walpole (6-1, 185), RB
Tommy Becker (5-11, 185), WR
Jackson Ruth (5-10, 170)
St. Xavier: QB
Jackson Frey (6-3, 205), LB
Brayden Reilly (6-3, 210), LB
Ja'Kobe Clapper (6-2, 215), LB
Aden Reeder (6-3, 215), ATH
Daniel Vollmer (6-2, 210)
Elder is off to a 5-0 start after going 6-6 in 2024. Two of the Panthers' wins have come against top 10 teams in Kentucky. St. Xavier's lone loss came against Archbishop Moeller, which is ranked in our expanded top 100. These squads play every season and have split the last four meetings with St. Xavier taking the 2024 matchup 22-17.
Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) at Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Walsh Jesuit: QB
David Ternosky (6-0, 185), WR
Milan Parris (6-6, 205), S
Grant Blascak (6-3, 205), S
James Brewer (6-2, 170), OT
Owen Pelkowski (6-4, 270)
Archbishop Hoban: ATH
Brayton Feister (6-3, 235), OT
Samuel Greer (6-8, 315), CB
Elbert Hill (5-11, 180), WR
Payton Cook (6-2, 180), ATH
Ace Brown (6-4, 230)
Walsh Jesuit is off to a 5-0 start for the third straight season and is ranked No. 9 in Ohio. Archbishop Hoban's lone loss came against Maryland power Archbishop Spalding. The Knights are ranked No. 88 in our expanded top 100. These teams play every year in the regular season and have met again three times in the postseason this decade. Last season Walsh Jesuit won the first game and Archbishop Hoban won in the playoffs.
